PowerToys Color Picker Alternative — Free Online, No Download
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PowerToys Color Picker is one of the most popular color tools on Windows — press a keyboard shortcut, click anywhere on your screen, and get the color code. It is fast and accurate.
But PowerToys is Windows-only, requires a download, and is a full utility suite that many users install just for the color picker. If you want something lighter — or something that works on Mac, Linux, or Chromebook — a free browser-based tool does the same core job without any of that overhead.
What PowerToys Color Picker Does
PowerToys Color Picker lets you hover over any pixel on your Windows screen and copy its color in HEX, RGB, or other formats. It is activated by a keyboard shortcut (Win+Shift+C by default) and works across any app or window.
It is genuinely useful for picking colors from existing UI elements, images, or videos on screen. The tool also maintains a history of recently picked colors.
When a Browser Alternative Makes More Sense
PowerToys is the right choice if you frequently need to sample colors from anywhere on your Windows screen. But there are common situations where a browser tool is better:
- You are not on Windows — PowerToys does not run on Mac, Linux, or Chrome OS
- You do not want to install software — PowerToys is a full-featured utility package, not just a color picker
- You want HSL output — PowerToys Color Picker does not natively output HSL values
- You are working on a shared or managed computer — you may not have install permissions
- You want a portable, zero-setup option — a bookmark is enough
What the Browser Tool Can and Cannot Do
The free online color picker gives you:
- HEX, RGB, and HSL output for any color you select
- One-click copy for each format
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android
- No install, no account, no permissions
What it does not do:
- Sample colors from arbitrary pixels on your screen (PowerToys can do this on Windows)
- Maintain a color history between sessions
- Output CMYK or Pantone values
If your main need is selecting a specific color and getting its code — rather than sampling from an existing on-screen element — the browser tool covers that use case completely.
How to Use the Online Color Picker
- Open the tool in any browser — no download, no account.
- Click the color swatch to open the native browser color picker.
- Choose your color using the wheel, sliders, or by typing a known value.
- Copy the HEX, RGB, or HSL value with one click.
Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) all include a native color picker dialog with good controls for selecting precise colors.
Other PowerToys Color Picker Alternatives
If you specifically need to sample colors from anywhere on your screen (not just select from a color wheel), here are a few options by platform:
- Mac: Digital Color Meter (built-in, free) or Pastel
- Linux: Gpick or KColorChooser
- Chrome: The browser's built-in DevTools color picker (F12, Styles panel)
For browser-only color selection where you are choosing a color rather than sampling one from screen content, this free tool is the simplest option on any platform.
Try It Free — No Signup Required
Runs 100% in your browser. No data is collected, stored, or sent anywhere.
Open Free Color PickerFrequently Asked Questions
Does PowerToys Color Picker work on Mac?
No. PowerToys is a Windows-only application. On Mac, the built-in Digital Color Meter app (in Applications > Utilities) can sample colors from the screen. For a browser-based option that works on any platform, an online color picker is the most portable choice.
Can the browser color picker sample colors from my screen like PowerToys does?
The color picker uses a native browser color input. In recent versions of Chrome, this dialog includes an eyedropper button that can sample colors from visible areas of your screen. This is not as full-featured as PowerToys but covers many basic use cases.
Does this tool output CMYK values like PowerToys does?
No. This tool outputs HEX, RGB, and HSL. For CMYK output, you would need a dedicated color conversion tool.
Is this tool free?
Yes. No download, no account, no cost.
James worked as an in-house graphic designer for six years before moving to content writing. He covers image editing and design tools with a focus on what actually works for non-designers.
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